Kualoa Ranch Beach Park

Kualoa Beach Park is both a beach and a park with perhaps a heavier emphasis on being a park. The beach itself is extremely narrow having eroded over the years but the grass portion of the park is extremely wide. This is a perfect place to throw a football or a Frisbee or have a romp with your dog. Kualoa Beach Park also has the advantage of never being quite too crowded. Weekends will find local folks setting up sun tents and making use of a barbecue while enjoying the ocean views and talking story.

Kualoa Beach Park with the Mountains of Kualoa in the Background

One of the most beautiful views from this park is in the other direction however, toward the mountains and the Kualoa Valley. The Kualoa Valley rises abruptly with a grand flare directly behind the beach park. This valley is so picturesque that it has been used for years as the backdrop for many of the movies you have seen on the "big screen". Blockbusters like Jurassic Park have been filmed there as well as Mighty Joe Young, Six Days and Seven Nights, Godzilla, 50 First Dates, Windtalkers and the television series of both "Lost" and "Hawaii 5-O".

Having a Picnic at Kualoa Beach Park

Just off the coast you will see the well known windward landmark of the island called "Chinaman's Hat". The island looks so close you feel that you could almost walk there and during low tide some people have. This is not a good idea however and two days prior to our most recent visit to this park two people drowned making that journey. The tides and currents can be strong here and any one of a number of unfortunate occurrences can happen in these waters off the coast so it is best to limit your ocean entry to the waters directly off the sand. In addition this beach, as well as others along this coastline, can be an area which is at times infested with jellyfish or Portuguese Man of War. The lifeguards will usually set up signs when there is a danger but they can also occur at other times as well.

Ocean Caution

Please be advised that all beaches and ocean locations in Hawaii can be potentially dangerous including this location. Be completely aware of the ocean conditions prior to entering the water and of course, never turn your back on the ocean when you are on the shoreline. It should also be noted that all shorelines and beaches in Hawaii, including this one, can be frequented by sharks, jellyfish and other sea creatures which can provide potential harm to people entering the water.

Oahu Beaches

Bellows Beach is one of the best beaches to be found along Oahu's south eastern shores. It is not particularly wide but it is very long and the quality of sand, although somewhat rougher, is comparable in color and cleanliness to beaches like Lani Kai.

There is no question that Hanauma Bay is an excellent place to snorkel. Unfortunately it, unlike any other snorkeling spot in the State of Hawaii, costs money for an admission charge and costs money for a parking fee.

One of the few beaches that has the look and feel of old Oahu is Kahana Beach on Oahu's windward coastline. The fact that this beach is located in a section of the island that is normally simply a gateway for island visitors to pass by on their way to visit what are presumably more spectacular attractions is the saving grace of Kahana Beach Park.

Without question, the most popular beach on the windward side of Oahu is Kailua Beach, and with good reason. This large expanse of white sand beach is simply "drop-dead" gorgeous and is the perfect location for water sports and beach activities.

The Ko'Olina Resort area located on Oahu's west-facing coast boasts a total of four almost identical looking, side-by-side man-made lagoons. If you're an ocean purist and like your beaches created by the hand of nature, you're out of luck at these beaches.

You know it's a big wave when the sand you're sitting on at the beach shakes like an earthquake when the waves pound the shoreline. Welcome to the "Bonzai Pipeline" at famous Ehukai Beach on Oahu's North Shore.

Shark's Cove on the North Shore of Oahu is not really a beach, but rather a snorkel and diving spot; and what a snorkel spot it is! This small cove is ringed in rocks and coral providing very little in the way of sand to lay out on, but if you are looking for a great place to snorkel, Shark's Cove is, at many times of the year, an excellent option.

Waikiki Beach is certainly the most famous beach in all of Hawaii and is a probable contender for the most well known beach in the world. This of course, was the beach where it all started regarding tourism in Hawaii.

Related Information

A listing of all Oahu Beaches can be found on these pages. Check for the Oahu Beach that will be perfect for you!

It's a good thing you're going to the beach on Oahu! Not only does Oahu have some of the most beautiful beaches in the state, have some of the best snorkeling to be seen in the state, have some of the best surfing, kayaking and stand-up paddling locations in the state and some of the largest waves for you to watch in the state, but Oahu beaches have more lifeguard locations and more lifeguards all toll than any other island in the State of Hawaii.